J Love Band

JAMIE "J LOVE" CHASE

Jamie (J Love) Chase was born and raised Jamie Roland Pulliam in a small town in southeast Missouri called Kennett. Kennett is also the hometown of music artist, Sheryl Crow.

J-Love’s early inspirations were her best friend, mother, grandfather and grandmother. They were the first people in her life to encourage her to sing. It was through J-Love’s late grandfather, Lelon Pulliam that she developed a passion for music. J-Love has always had the support of her family and friends throughout her musical career.

J-Love has become one of leading soul vocalists in the Kansas City area. Her voice could only be described as gritty, earthy, and confident. Not only does J Love front her own group, but has also had success as a solo performer throughout the Kansas City area. Her debut CD, “Life’s Side Effects” has been very well received.

In addition, J-Love frequently travels throughout the country performing with nationally known contemporary Christian hip-hop artists.

Jerrod foutes

Born and raised in the Kansas City area, Jerrod Foutes grew up in a family of musicians which included a grandmother who played piano, a grandfather who played coronet, an uncle who played bass and guitar, and most notably a father who plays piano. Constantly surrounded by musicians growing up, it is no surprise that Jerrod went on to become the dedicated musician he is today.

Although he had multiple musical influences while growing up, the most notable was Jerrod’s father, a local jazz pianist who has been performing and teaching in the Kansas City area for the past 45 years. It was during Jerrod’s early years that he began listening and learning from his father. At 10 Jerrod began playing the saxophone, and at 17 he decided to learn to play electric bass. He began learning to read, write and improvise from some of Kansas City’s finest music educators. Jerrod started performing regularly shortly after picking up the bass.

After completing his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University in North Carolina, Jerrod moved to Atlanta where he continued his music career teaching private lessons, managing Carere Music & Studios, and performing with several popular local bands throughout the southeast.

In 2005 Jerrod moved back to Kansas City and began performing locally with a variety of different groups including the Brendan MacNaughton Band.

clarence smith

Clarence Smith has served as Music Coordinator and Instructor of Music at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley since 2003. Responsibilities include directing the jazz ensemble, and teaching percussion, jazz history and music history. Smith also teaches jazz at MCC’s Blue River and Longview campuses. In addition, as the associate director of Kansas City Youth Jazz, Smith directs three bands and serves on the advisory board.

Smith is frequently invited to serve as a clinician and adjudicator for music competitions and festivals, and has been the guest director of honor bands throughout Missouri and Kansas. Previous teaching positions were at the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts in KCMO, and in the Marshall, Missouri public schools. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Central Methodist University, a master's degree in education from Lesley University, and has also earned graduate hours at the University of Central Missouri where he studied jazz with David Aaberg, and Northwestern University where he studied with Michael Kocour.

As a performer, Smith is very active as a percussionist/drummer in the Kansas City area, playing everything from classical to jazz. He has performed or recorded with Bill Watrous, Jay McShann, Claude Williams, Rich Matteson, Merle Evans, among others. Smith has been a guest soloist for the Marshall Philharmonic as well as a marimba soloist while a student at Central Methodist University.

Smith has been honored as Downbeat Magazine’s Jazz Teacher of the Year, and was selected as a Music Fellow at Northwestern University. He serves as Multi Cultural Chair for the Missouri Music Educator's Association, a position he has held since 2006.

pAUL ROBERTS

Paul Roberts has been performing in Kansas City since the mid-80's. Paul Roberts is perhaps one of the most versital musicians in the Kansas City area. Paul is fully proficient on both Trombone and Piano. He studied Trombone and earned his degree in Music Composition from UMKC.

Not only is Paul an accomplished player, but he is also one of the areas most saught after arrangers as well. Paul stays busy composing, arranging and scoring for a number of local groups.

Some of the local projects Paul is involved in include the Froundation 627 Big Band, Max Berry Group, the Broadway Jazz Orchestra, Overland Park Community Church and the BMW Band.

Past projects have included Topshelf Toons, Ida McBeth's Band, the Kansas City Chiefs' Pack Band and the Fountain City Brass Band. Paul has joined the faculty at "Music House" in Blue Valley teaching piano, trombone & composition.

Paul is currently working on his masters degree on bass trombone from UMKC.

JAMes isaac

James Isaac holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from UMKC and a Master's Degree in Music Performance from Eastman School of Music.

is a professional saxophone player and Kansas City native. He performs regularly with several groups including: The James Isaac Group, The People’s Liberation Big Band, which plays free big band jazz; Multiphonic, a dance band; Killer Strayhorn, Kansas City’s premiere jazz quintet; AfterGroove, a contemporary jazz group; and frequently is called to play in area orchestras.

Starting his musical education on flute, then piano, the opening notes of the Pink Panther theme introduced James to the saxophone, and it was love at first listen. From 6th grade onward, playing sax came naturally to him. He was first-chair all-state orchestra in high school, and was attracted to the jazz band for the opportunity to improvise. Before he was done with high school, he picked up bassoon. He learned clarinet as an undergrad and oboe as a grad student, giving him a working knowledge of all the woodwinds.

Through college, playing professionally was James’s main priority. Saxophonist and teacher Bill Caldwell inspired James early on with his musical example of a complete natural, impeccable talent. James led chamber ensembles at Johnson County Community College before Joining the UCM faculty in 2009. Mr. Isaac continues to give private lessons on sax and piano and now balances his time equally between teaching and performing. In addition to saxophone courses, he teaches Jazz Improvisation and the Jazz Rock Combo. He believes one of the strengths of the program is that they not only train future music teachers but also emphasize practical skills for musicians in the professional world.

The J Love Band is lucky to have special guests perform on occassion

These guys are incredible musicians, and we highly encourage you to check out their other bands and individual projects.